Snake Bite - What You Need to Know This material must not be used for commercial purposes, or in any hospital or medical facility. Failure to comply may result in legal action. Snake Bite WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about a snake bite? Most snakes are not venomous. Some snakes inject venom that can act as a poison in your body. Even venomous snakes often bite without injecting venom. The venom may cause severe skin and tissue damage after several hours or days. A snake bite is a serious condition and can be life-threatening, although deaths in the US are rare. What are the signs and symptoms of a snake bite? Signs and symptoms may be mild to severe, and can appear within minutes to hours after you were bitten. You may not feel anything at first.

Redness, pain, and swelling where you were bitten or up the bitten limb Numbness, tingling, burning, or paralysis Abdominal pain, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, or little or no urination Anxiety, weakness, drowsiness, or dizziness Fever or chills, headache, twitching or seizures A bruise, blister, pus, ulcer, or black tissue around the wound site Nose bleed, or blood in your spit, vomit, or bowel movement Chest tightness, trouble breathing, or pale or blue skin, lips, or fingertips How is a snake bite diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will ask where and when you were bitten. Tell him if you know what kind of snake bit you, or describe it to him. Your healthcare provider will closely look at your injury, and check the area around it. He may press your skin in the groin or armpit to feel your lymph nodes. Your healthcare provider may measure around your bitten limb more than once to check the amount of swelling. He may order blood or urine tests to look for signs that the snake venom is causing injury. How is a snake bite treated? Your bite wound will be cleaned with soap, water, and germ-killing solutions.

This helps wash away germs that may be in the wound, and decreases the risk of infection. If the wound area becomes large, your healthcare provider may need to do surgical cleaning. Antivenom: This is the main treatment for poisonous snake bites. Most, but not all, poisonous snake bites need this treatment. This is most effective if given within 4 hours of a snake bite. It neutralizes the venom in your body, preventing it from causing more damage. You may need more than one dose of antivenom. People who are allergic to papaya or other vaccines may be allergic to antivenom. Tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any of these or have other allergies or medical conditions. Td vaccine is a booster shot used to help prevent tetanus and diphtheria. The Td booster may be given to adolescents and adults every 10 years or for certain wounds and injuries. What should I do if a snake bites me? Do not cut into the wound, or apply suction to try and remove the venom. Do not use tourniquets, or apply heat, cold, or electric shock to the bite area.

Stay calm, sit or lie down, and stay still: Avoid moving the part of your body where you were bitten. Too much movement may help spread the venom to other parts of your body. If the bite is on your arm or leg, immobilize the limb with a splint if possible. Remove items: Remove tight-fitting clothing and jewelry items such as rings, watches, and bracelets near your bite. Keep the bitten area below the level of your heart: The venom will spread more slowly if the wound stays below the level of your heart. See a healthcare provider right away: Do not wait until you have symptoms before you see a healthcare provider. Which snakes are poisonous? The following are common poisonous snakes: Pit vipers: Rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths (also called water moccasins) are pit viper snakes. These snakes have large, triangle-shaped heads. Coral snakes: Coral snakes are colorful and have small heads. Coral snakes usually do not bite unless they feel they are being attacked. Their bites may be painless and easy to miss. Other snakes: Rarely, snake bites are caused by adders, asps, cobras, kraits, mambas, sea snakes, and vipers.

Bites caused by these types of snakes often occur when people have them for pets. These snakes are not native to the US, but they can be encountered in the wild in other countries. How can I prevent a snake bite? Snake bites are most common when the weather is warm. Snakes are more active in warm weather, and people spend more time outdoors. Snakes bite to defend themselves when they feel threatened. If you accidently step on a snake, you may be bitten on the foot or leg. This usually occurs when the snake is not moving and not seen, or is hidden by plants. Dress to protect yourself: Wear shoes or boots and pants to protect your feet and legs. Learn what poisonous snakes look like: Learn to recognize poisonous snakes, especially if you spend time outdoors. Learn which poisonous snakes can be found where you live or spend time outdoors, and what they look like. Learn where snakes may be found: Snakes rest in cool, shaded areas during hot weather. Do not put your hands or fingers into holes or places you cannot see. Leave snakes alone: Do not try to catch, frighten, or attack a snake. Back away and do not try to touch the snake.

Do not pick up a snake that appears to be dead. Even dead snakes can deliver venom through their fangs. Rattlesnakes shake the ends of their tails to make a rattle sound that warns that it feels threatened. If you hear a rattlesnake, move away quickly. Light your path: Use a flashlight or lamp when you walk outside at night. Do not walk in areas where you cannot see the ground. What are the risks of a snake bite? Venom from a snake bite may damage different parts of your body. How fast these problems occur and how bad they are depends on the amount of venom you receive. Different snakes give different kinds and amounts of venom. Children usually develop more serious problems because of their smaller bodies. Treatment for a snake bite may bring side effects. Antivenom may cause allergic reactions, such as a rash, itchiness, fever, and muscle pains. You may also have an upset stomach, diarrhea, headache, or trouble breathing. You may develop soreness, redness, or swelling in the muscle where a tetanus shot was given. Even with treatment, your wound may become worse, or you may get very sick from having the poison in your body.

Untreated snake bites may lead to more serious problems, such as swelling, bleeding, and infections. Severe swelling may press on the blood vessels and nerves in the area. The venom may spread to other parts of your body. You may have bleeding through your nose or other parts of your body. You may have trouble breathing and your blood pressure may become very low. The venom may damage nerves, and you could become paralyzed, have difficulty breathing or swallowing. You may have seizures, go into a coma, or die. People who have high blood pressure or bleeding problems are at a higher risk of problems. When should I contact my healthcare provider? Your wound gets larger or becomes more red and has pus. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care. When should I seek immediate help? You feel dizzy, have a fever, start throwing up, or sweat more than usual. You develop swelling, redness, or more pain around your bite. You have chest pain or trouble breathing, or your skin is red, swollen, or more painful. You have problems moving the injured part. You have numbness or tingling in the area of the bite.

You have tightness in your throat, wheezing, a swollen tongue, or a rash over your body. Your urine is dark or you urinate less than is usual for you. Your wound does not stop bleeding, or have bleeding through your nose or other parts of your body. Where can I find more information? 24-Hour Nationwide Poison Control Hotline National Capital Poison Center 3201 New Mexico Avenue, Suite 310 Washington , DC 20016 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road Snake bites: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia First Aid Follow these steps to provide first aid: 1. Keep the person calm. Reassure them that bites can be effectively treated in an emergency room. Restrict movement, and keep the affected area below heart level to reduce the flow of venom. 2. Remove any rings or constricting items, because the affected area may swell. Create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the area. 3. If the area of the bite begins to swell and change color, the snake was probably venomous. 4. Monitor the person's vital signs -- temperature, pulse , rate of breathing, and blood pressure -- if possible.

If there are signs of shock (such as paleness ), lay the person flat, raise the feet about a foot (30 centimeters), and cover the person with a blanket. 5. Get medical help right away. 6. Bring in the dead snake only if this can be done safely. Do not waste time hunting for the snake, and do not risk another bite if it is not easy to kill the snake. Be careful of the head when transporting it -- a snake can actually bite (from a reflex) for several hours after it's dead. DO NOT Do NOT allow the person to become over-exerted. If necessary, carry the person to safety. Do NOT apply a tourniquet. Do NOT apply cold compresses to a snake bite. Do NOT cut into a snake bite with a knife or razor. Do NOT try to suck out the venom by mouth. Do NOT give the person stimulants or pain medicines unless a doctor tells you to do so. Do NOT give the person anything by mouth. Do NOT raise the site of the bite above the level of the person's heart. When to Contact a Medical Professional Call 911 or your local emergency number if someone has been bitten by a snake.

If possible, call ahead to the emergency room so that antivenom can be ready when the person arrives. Your local poison center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts. They will give you further instructions. This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Prevention To prevent snake bites: Avoid areas where snakes may be hiding, such as under rocks and logs. Even though most snakes are not venomous, avoid picking up or playing with any snake unless you have been properly trained. Don't provoke a snake. That is when many serious snake bites occur. Tap ahead of you with a walking stick before entering an area where you can't see your feet. Snakes will try to avoid you if given enough warning. When hiking in an area known to have snakes, wear long pants and boots if possible.

Alternative Names List of Venomous Florida Snakes :: Florida Museum of Natural History Eastern Coral Snake, Coral Snake Although 50 species of snakes are found in Florida, only the 6 listed here are venomous and a danger to humans. The remaining 44 species (and its subspecies) are harmless and should be protected for the beneficial role they play in natural ecosytems, eating insects, rodents, rabbits, and other small prey. If you are interested in all of our snakes, then you should visit our Online Guide to the Fla. Snakes . A word of caution is warranted here. If you find a snake and you do not know whether or not it is venomous, the safest thing to do is leave it alone. Florida snakes are not aggressive and, unless they are cornered, most will flee when humans approach. Occasionally, you might encounter one that is reluctant to leave because it is basking in the sun to get warm. Among snakebite victims, an unacceptably high number are bitten on the hands and arms when they are handling the snake.

Do not catch a snake and do not handle one unless you are sure it is not venomous.In addition, for a short time after a snake is killed, its reflexes may continue to work. Those reflexes typically cause the body to writhe slowly for awhile, but they can cause a convulsive contraction and a bite, so you should not handle a freshly killed venomous snake. Our Online Guide to the Fla. Snakes contains a Key to Identification which will identify any Florida snake you might find and tell you whether it is vemonous or harmless. The only acceptable treatment for venomous snakebite, involves the use of antivenin. So if you or someone else is bitten by a venomous snake, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest hospital or medical facility. Stay calm, remove any rings that could restrict circulation if tissues swell, keep the bitten limb below the level of the heart, and immediately seek medical attention. Your most important aids in getting to a hospital and treatment may be car keys or a cell phone.

The snake descriptions given above include characteristics that are relatively easy for the layman to see, though a few might require a close look at the snake, so we again caution you: Do not catch or handle a snake if you do not know whether it is venomous or harmless. To keep the descriptions short and simple, other characteristics known to herpetologists are not mentioned here. This website is for informational purposes only and no liability is assumed in its use — Copyright © and Disclaimer Names Of Poisonous Snakes Names Of Poisonous Snakes Updated on October 22, 2011 "Are you afraid of snakes?" was a question once put to a little boy. "Yes!" he replied in horror, with a shudder - and, no doubt, you must be scared too. Indeed, most of us have a deep fear and an extreme horror of snakes. These slippery serpents slither and slide, twine and twirl, leaving a trail of terror wherever they go. Imagine coming across a black mamba coiled on a ledge or a king cobra raise its dark head from some crevice in the rock?

There are more than 2,000 kinds of snakes, and they are found in practically all parts of the world except the polar regions. Snakes are divided into two categories: the poisonous and the non-poisonous. The poisonous snakes possess poison fangs. These fangs are actually hollow teeth with an opening at the tip. They are located in the upper jaw and connect with poison glands in the head. When the snake wants to bite, it contracts the muscles connected to these glands, and the poison (or venom, as it is usually called) flows out through the fangs into the open wound which the snake has already made by its bite. A medium-sized snake can put as much as half a teaspoon of this poison into the victim at one time! Notable poisonous snakes include: Snake Bite: Get the Facts About Symptoms and Treatment Medical Author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston).

He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications. Medical Editor: Steven Doerr, MD Steven Doerr, MD Steven Doerr, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Doerr received his undergraduate degree in Spanish from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He graduated with his Medical Degree from the University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado in 1998 and completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine from Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado in 2002, where he also served as Chief Resident. Medical Editor: Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

Summer Skin Hazards Pictures Poisonous Snake Bites The U.S is home to many poisonous snakes, including these four snakes: coral snake, rattlesnake, water moccasin, and copperhead. Bite symptoms may include severe burning pain at the bite site, swelling that spreads out from the bite, weakness, trouble breathing, and changes in heart rate. Bite severity depends on many factors, including the amount of venom injected, bite location, and a person's age and health. Seek immediate medical care if you think you've been bitten by a poisonous snake. Share Your Story A venomous (poisonous) snake bite is a bite or a puncture wound made by a snake that is capable of injecting, secreting, or spitting a toxin into the penetrated skin wound or, mucus membranes or the eyes where the toxin can be absorbed. In North America, there are about 25 species of snakes able to secrete toxin. However, non-native poisonous species are present in zoos and held in private homes or other areas by snake collectors. Consequently, almost any type of venomous snake bite can be encountered in the US.

About 7,000 snake bites are reported in the US per year, but because snake bites are not required to be reported, it is estimated that up to 45,000 bites per year may occur with about 8,000 by poisonous snakes. The most common venomous snakes in the US are: rattlesnakes, Venomous Snakes | Poisonous Snakes | Reptile Gardens Call Us: 1-800-335-0275 Venomous Snakes Venomous snakes are reptiles that produces a toxin in a specialized gland and possesses a specific venom delivery system, typically injected through fangs upon biting prey. Many of the world's venomous snakes have venom that is straightforward and “easy” to treat effectively with the proper antivenoms - Mamba bites, for example. Other species may cause a clinical explosion of problems for which antivenoms are not very effective - some rattlesnake bites are this way. Most Deadly vs. Most Dangerous It is important to keep in mind when discussing venomous snakes that the "most deadly" snake and the "most dangerous" snake are two entirely different concepts.

Some of the snakes with the most toxic venom – in other words, more deadly - rarely bite people. For instance, the deadliest sea snakes are generally quite docile. The Inland Taipan, the snake with the deadliest venom, has never killed anyone on record. On the other hand, the snakes that kill the most people (most dangerous) have “mild” venoms compared to other venomous snakes. The Cottonmouth and Copperhead Copperhead Cottonmouth Many people believe the Cottonmouth and the Copperhead to be very deadly. Legends aside, they are not really very deadly at all. The maximum amount of venom a Cottonmouth can deliver is just barely enough to kill a single person. The Copperhead is less deadly still; even if untreated, a Copperhead bite causes death in considerably less than 1% of bites. There is even some question as to whether there have been any deaths at all from Copperhead venom. 100 Pace Snakes Travelers and servicemen who have been to Southeast Asia frequently ask us about the "100 pace snakes" (or 2 pacers, or 50 pacers or 1000 pacers, etc.).

For the most part, snakes belonging to the genus Trimeresurus, most notably Trimeresurus wagleri, are given this moniker. Their reputed deadliness, however, is just a folk tale. These snakes have very mild venom and deaths from their bites are virtually unknown. Snorklenose Viper Banded Krait Common Krait To be fair, the Snorkle-nosed Viper (Deinagkistrodon acutus) has caused some deaths and is occasionally referred to by these terms as well. Kraits are also given this name in other parts of the world and, although they are indeed deadly, they do not kill within any small number of paces. Read about the deadliest snakes » Reptiles The Bible and Snake-handling | America Magazine The Bible and Snake-handling John W. Martens | Mar 7 2014 - 4:26pm | 1 comment How should we respond to the news of the recent death of another snake-handling Christian? I can tell you a few ways that have been tried: condescension; amusement; disbelief; mockery; advocacy; and rational assessment of the textual place of the snake-handling verses in the Bible.

Some who would never engage in the practice admire the deep faith of these snake-handlers, including Professor Ralph Hood of the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga who has documented over 100 deaths from snake bites and the drinking of poison . The Chattanooga Times Free Press has a thorough overview of the practice among some churches in Appalachia . I have not found a response, though, that deals with the relationship of the snake-handlers to their fellow Christians, that is, how are fellow Christians expected to respond to this sort of death and to the very practice of snake-handling? For snake-handling has everything to do with interpretation of the Bible and with faith in the Bible as the literal word of God. The significant verses for this practice are found in the Gospel of Mark 16:15-18: 15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. 16 The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned.

17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” I include in my passage verses 15 and 16, often excluded when examining this phenomenon, but central to belief in this practice. Why? Mark 16:15-16 give the impetus for practicing these various signs which are outlined in vv. 17-18. If you believe and are baptized, you are saved, but if you do not believe, you are condemned. What are the signs of those who believe? Casting out demons, speaking in new tongues, picking up snakes, drinking any deadly thing and healing the sick. Many biblical scholars will point out, properly, that Mark in its earliest form ends at Mark 16:8, which excludes these verses.

This is true but inconsequential since the canonical form of the Gospel accepted by (most) Christians extends to Mark 16:20, so even though these verses were added at a later point they are considered a part of the accepted word of God, and this is obviously the case for the snake-handlers. Still, we might say to the snake-handlers, regardless that this passage appears in the Bible, why are you paying so much attention to this one passage in Mark? What does it matter? Their answer would certainly be: it’s in the Bible and the Bible is the word of God. It is fair to ask, then, why do you take this passage literally and ignore other passages, such as cutting off your hand if it offends you (Matthew 5:30)? Or why do you not tie a millstone around your neck if you harm a child and jump in the sea (Mark 9:42; Matthew 18:6; Luke 17:2)? Yet, asking snake-handlers to take literally every passage in the Bible does not mitigate against taking the passage in Mark 16:17-18 literally.

It is certainly not a Christian approach simply to counsel the snake-handlers to scoff at the passage or ignore this passage or suggest it does not belong in the Bible. The necessary approach is to find an alternate interpretation of this passage that fits within the broad Christian tradition of biblical interpretation, which does not always prefer literal interpretation. Better than literally writing the passage out of the Bible ought to be an attempt to make sense of the passage spiritually. The literal reading of the passage, frankly, is the most obvious reading of the verses, but it need not be the only way to read these verses. There are five “signs” listed in Mark 16:15-18. Out of these five “signs” many mainstream Christians would accept casting out demons (such as Catholics - at least through the formal rites of exorcism - and many evangelical Protestants), speaking in new tongues (charismatic Catholics, Pentecostals and other charismatic Christians), and healing the sick (Catholics, mainstream and evangelical Protestants). But it is only a very few who take seriously the other two “signs,” namely, picking up poisonous snakes and drinking poison. Why? Why do most Christians ignore these two signs?

Some might argue that casting out demons, healing the sick and speaking in new tongues have a more substantial biblical basis. Jesus’ ministry is full of him casting out demons and healing the sick, as the first two chapters of Mark alone attest. The examples in the four Gospels are too numerous to mention. Speaking in tongues is also attested in Acts 2 and in 1 Corinthians 12-14. What does the rest of the NT say about drinking poison and snake-handling? Even if the traditions about snake-handling are less attested in the NT, there are at least two other passages which indicate protection from snakes and poison due to faith. Acts of the Apostles 28:1-6 includes an (unintended) act of snake-handling. This is the scene: After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us around it. 3 Paul had gathered a bundle of brushwood and was putting it on the fire, when a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.

4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were expecting him to swell up or drop dead, but after they had waited a long time and saw that nothing unusual had happened to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god. Paul does not die, indeed, he suffers no ill effects from the viper bite. This might have influenced the inclusion of the later passage found in Mark 16:15-18, it is impossible to say for certain, but it does indicate a tradition within the early Church of resistance to poison or venom due to one’s Christian faith (it can be assumed here in Acts that Paul’s resistance is due to his faith in Jesus Christ). There is another passage in the Gospel of Luke 10:17-20 that speaks of poison and serpents.

When the 70 return from their mission, they report back to Jesus with joy, saying “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!" (v.17). Jesus responds, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (vv.18-20). In this passage Jesus both announces “authority to tread on snakes and scorpions” and likens it to authority over “the enemy.” This is important for it indicates that “snakes and scorpions” are literal symbols of a more deadly poison, namely, evil. And even the power over demonic forces is not to be trumpeted, but rather the fact that “your names are written in heaven.” Both the passage from Acts and that from Luke give us clues as to how to interpret the passage in Mark. Paul’s encounter with the viper in Acts 28 is not purposeful but unintentional.

He does not seek out a snake, a snake seeks out Paul. Paul’s health is preserved, but he did not attempt to handle the snake himself, only shake it off. In Luke 10, Jesus announces this power over poisonous creatures, but states that the true power is over the forces of evil. But even that power is less significant than the salvation offered through Jesus. In these two passages, it does not seem to counsel direct handling of snakes, but God’s preservation in one case (Paul) and the power of God over the forces of evil, compared to snakes and scorpions, and the priority of spiritual salvation over the manifestation of signs (Luke). When we ask two questions of the biblical material - 1) what do snakes generally refer to in the Bible? And 2) what does poison generally refer to in the Bible? – we find that the passages from Acts and Luke fit with a general biblical view of snakes and poison as representative of spiritual evil and God’s protection over his people. There are, naturally, also passages where snakes are snakes and poison is poison. In Genesis 3:1-4, the serpent represents temptation and the initial turn away from God; later in the Christian tradition the serpent represents embodied evil.

The best example is in Revelation 12, where throughout the chapter evil is represented by a dragon, or as it is described in Revelation 12:9, “that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world.” A famous scene occurs in Numbers 21 when the Israelites complain about their wandering in the desert. According to Numbers 21:6 “then the Lord sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many Israelites died.” But God also sent to Moses protection: “And the Lord said to Moses, ‘Make a poisonous serpent, and set it on a pole; and everyone who is bitten shall look at it and live’” (Num 21:8). While we have literal snakes in the desert here, we also have God’s protection from the serpents. Interestingly, though, this scene becomes spiritualized in the teaching of Jesus, interpreting the snakes and poison as evil, which will be conquered by Jesus on the cross.

In the Gospel of John 3:14-16 it says, 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. The focus in John is not on actual snakes and poison, but on Jesus’ conquering of the poisonous repercussions of sin and evil so that people might have “eternal life.” The spiritual sense of “poison” as representative of evil is common elsewhere in the Bible, such as in Wisdom 1:14 (“For he created all things so that they might exist; the generative forces of the world are wholesome, and there is no destructive poison in them, and the dominion of Hades is not on earth”), Amos 6:12 (“Do horses run on rocks? Does one plow the sea with oxen?

But you have turned justice into poison and the fruit of righteousness into wormwood”), and once in the New Testament, in James 3:8 where the tongue is called “a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” I do not know any snake-handlers, I have not met any snake-handlers, but they seem to be devout Christians and one thing is clear: they believe by handling snakes they are performing God’s will and interpreting the Bible correctly. It seems like such a loss, though, to lose faithful people to the poison of snakes when it need not happen. And, after all, what kind of sign is it when snake-handling preachers die from a snake’s venom? What is the lesson the world is taught? They certainly learn that snake-handlers take their faith deadly seriously, which is to be commended, but also that faith is irrational. It is true that among the signs in Mark 16:17-18, casting out demons, speaking in new tongues and laying hands on the sick seem to be best interpreted literally, and are by many Christians, so why interpret “they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them” symbolically?

Poison and snakes in the Bible often represent literal snakes and poison, but it is more significant that snakes and poison represent spiritual death and evil. Snake venom will not hurt anyone ultimately, that is, in a spiritual sense, since Christians believe Christ has conquered the forces of sin and death, but that does not mean snakes and poison will not harm people physically. The true gift is eternal life, but we ought not to be treating the gift of our physical lives with disdain and tempting death. John W. Martens Top 10 Most Poisonous Snakes in the World - List Dose Top 10 Most Poisonous Snakes in the World Article by Sakshi Agrawal , June 20, 2014 The worlds’ most poisonous snakes has the most amazing skin, they are shiny, glossy, striking and alluring. But no matter how beautiful these creatures are, you cannot even dare to be around them forget about the whim to touch. Snakes never intent to attack humans willingly but it doesn’t change the fact that they are the most venomous and dangerous creatures in the world.

In fact, they fear us as much as we fear them and ergo when encountered one should never try to harm them; they get aggressive and furious when disturbed. It’s important to have a basic knowledge about the most poisonous snakes in the world. This is the reason why we have brought yet another top ten most addictive list for our readers. So, have a look on “The Most Poisonous Snakes in the World” 10. Death Adder – Death Adder is native to Australia and is one of the most poisonous snakes in the world found mainly on the east coast of Australia, New Guinea and nearby Islands. They have a very unique way of hunting; they have the habit of burying themselves in the sand or leaf litter and secretly wait for their prey to approach rather than aggressively stalking like other snakes and as soon as the prey reaches nearby they twitch their tail to lure them and rapidly grab their diet. Their venom contains highly toxic neurotoxin, and they are capable of delivering the fastest strike among all venomous snakes in the world. If you ever come across something shiny and meek on Australian sand, avoid the urge to touch, it might be Death Adders tail. 9.

Common Krait – Common Krait, most commonly referred to as Indian Krait or the blue krait is found mostly in the jungles or rural areas of the Indian subcontinent. It is highly neurotoxic and causes respiratory failure. Its bite is painless which is why the local villagers consider Common Krait a very mysterious snake. The neurotoxins affect the nerve endings and the victims die complaining about the severe abdominal cramps. The average length of the snake is 0.9 metre and can grow up to 1.75 metres. During the day time, it is sluggish, and at night, the snake is very active. Its one bite is enough to kill sixty people within four to eight hours. 8. Philippine Cobra – Cobras are easily recognizable because of their wide neck collars, and unlike other cobras, Philippine Cobra is stocky and very poisonous. They are famous for their use by oriental snake charmers as they respond spontaneously to visual cues. This one of the most deadly snake in the world is capable of spitting its venom as far as three meters to reach its target. A bite from the Philippine cobra can lead to death from paralysis within an hour.

They are found on Luxon, Mindoro, Catanduanes and Masbate Islands of Philippines. Although their average length is usually 1 meter but it can grow up to 2.5 meters long. The good news is the snake will attack you only when they feel that you are a threat to them or their babies. So now I hope you’d remember that not all cobra bites are harmless and safe. 7. Tiger Snake – Tiger snakes are found in south-eastern Australia and no, they don’t attack like tigers. They have a striped marking like those on a tiger and hence the name Tiger snake. The venom of this venomous snake contains potent presynaptic neurotoxins which cause progressive paralysis and muscle weakness. It also contains myotoxins that damages the muscle completely. Tiger snake loves to prey on frogs, small mammals, lizards and birds. In some areas where the food is in abundance, large numbers of tiger snakes are found. Unlike other Australian serpents, tiger snakes are protected species and an attempt to kill or injure them incurs a fine of up to $7500 with 18 months imprisonment. 6.

Belcher’s Sea Snake – The other name for Belcher is faint-banded sea snake, and they have a very mild temperament. Unless and until you severely mistreat them they won’t attack. Although they are known for their docile nature but that doesn’t mean they are not dangerous. The snake lives in the Indian Ocean, Gulf of Thailand, Australia, Solomon Islands and Northern Queensland. Its favourite food is fish, eels and fish eggs. The venom from its one deadly bite can kill three large Asian Elephants and can drop fifty fully grown men. Usually fishermen handling nets are the victims of Belcher’s sea snake but due to its cool temper it rarely injects much of its venom. 5. Black Mamba – Black Mamba is the longest snake in Africa, reaching up to 4.5 meters in length. It is also the fastest snake in the world, capable of travelling a distance of 20 km in less than an hour. This deadliest snake has got its name not from its skin color but from the black color of the inside of its mouth. They are usually shy until threatened, but highly aggressive once provoked.

Its venom is the most rapid acting venom of any snake species, and before antivenins were developed, a black mamba bite was 100% fatal. The natives of Savannas, south-eastern Africa and those visiting these regions should be aware of black mamba’s kiss of death. 4. Beaked Sea Snake – Beaked sea snake is highly venomous species of sea snakes and is also known as hook-nosed sea snake, common sea snake or valakadyn sea snake. This widespread species is responsible for five out of ten deaths caused by sea snake bites around the world. It can be found anywhere from the Persian gulf to northern coastal Australia. Its diet is very rich as it thrives on catfish and other sea life. The average venom yield per bite is 7.9-9.0 mg, while the lethal human dose is estimated to be 1.5mg. It get upset very easily and travels much faster on land than other sea snakes and therefore you have to be really careful when swimming off the coast to Australia. 3.

Coastal Taipan – The Coastal Taipan is a very dangerous and extremely venomous snake and has the largest fangs among all the other Australian snakes which grow up to 13 millimetres long which it uses to inject 120 mg of its deadly venom into the system of its victim. There,body is robust and can grow up to 3.5 metres, the average however is only 2.5 metres. They are very aggressive but prefer not to attack unless cornered or provoked. The Coastal Taipan is also known as eastern Taipan and hence, is found all along the coast of Australia, Queensland and the island of New Guinea. They occupies variety of habitats and shelters in abandoned animal burrows, discarded trash and sugarcane windrows as they can easily find their favourite food – bandicoots, rats, mice and lizards at these places. 2. Eastern Brown Snake – Eastern brown snake is also known as common brown snake and is often cited as the second most venomous land snake in the world. It is found throughout the eastern half of mainland Australia and Indonesia and has an average length of 1.8m. They are fast-moving, aggressive and are particularly known for their bad temper.

This formidable creature is responsible for most of the deaths caused by snakebite in Australia. Its venom causes progressive paralysis and if immediate dosage of antidote is not given then the victim may collapse in less than an hour. It preys mainly on rodents, birds and other small reptiles which is why it is often found around farm buildings. 1. Inland Taipan – The Inland Taipan is an Australian native and is considered to be the most poisonous snake in the world. It is also known as small-scaled and fierce snake that can reach a total length of 2.5 metres. Although it is timid and reclusive, but the venom from one bite possesses enough punch to drop 100 fully grown men. The fierce snake inhabits the black plain soil in the Channel country of south-western Queensland and north-eastern South Australia. It shelters in the deep dry scrublands and crevices to escape from its predators and searing heat. The diet of Inland Taipan is solely composed of rodents, small mammals and birds. The prey is subdued with a series of seven venomous bites in a single attack after which the small-scaled serpent wait for its diet to die.

Related posts: 12 Most Poisonous Snakes on Earth 12 Most Poisonous Snakes on Earth 12 Most Poisonous Snakes on Earth ADVERTISEMENT Image: Jinto Paul T Russell’s viper Given the way they slither along the ground – silent predators seeking out their prey – snakes are creepy enough under the best of circumstances. Their unblinking stare sets many people’s nerves jangling, and that’s without even considering how dangerous they can be. While some snakes may be harmless, here we take a look at the snakes we really do have reason to be frightened of due to their highly toxic venom. Image: Günter Leitenbauer Black Mamba There are numerous lists on this subject by different experts who have different ways of measuring the toxicity of snake venom, and who therefore offer differing results. The most common, and probably easiest, way to measure quantities of venom is using the median lethal dose, or LD50 – the amount of venom it takes to kill half the mice tested on in a lab. The lower the number, the more venomous the snake! However, depending on the type of bite inflicted – for example, subcutaneous or intravenous – different results are produced.

To complicate matters further, even among those lists of the most venomous snakes that seem to measure in the same way, there is little consistency. We’re basing this article on a list compiled by Ernst and Zug (1996). Enjoy! ADVERTISEMENT Image: Jamie Osburn 12. Puff Adder The puff adder isn’t the most venomous snake in Africa but it is considered to be the snake that causes the most human deaths there. This is due to the venomous viper’s common occurrence in heavily populated areas and its habit of sunbathing on or near footpaths. Then of course there’s its highly toxic venom, which has an LD50 of 0.14 and is delivered in large doses through long fangs. ADVERTISEMENT 10 Most Poisonous & Most Dangerous Snakes In the World Feb 6 • Nature • 19271 Views • Comments Off on 10 Most Poisonous & Dangerous Snakes In the World 1. Belcher’s Sea Snake Belcher’s Sea Snake (Cal Donovam/Flickr) You may be somewhat familiar with these sea snakes. They are quite common, and you may have seen them in films or even in person.

They are recognizable from their stripes. Usually these snakes have no interest in confrontation, but if one feels threatened, it may bite you. Three out of four times this will be no big deal, since only about one quarter of Belcher’s Sea Snakes carry venom. Those that do though have the highest concentration of venom in existence. Just a few milligrams has the capacity to kill thousands of human beings, making this the most poisonous snake in the world. Nonetheless, most Belcher’s Sea Snakes are quite harmless thanks to a docile personality and a lack of venom. 2. Rattlesnake Rattlesnake (Tom Spinker/Flickr) When most people think of poisonous snakes, the rattlesnake springs to mind pretty quickly. These snakes are found throughout the Americas and are actually a type of viper. Their name comes of course from the rattle which is found at the end of the tail and which creates a distinctive noise. Eastern Diamondbacks are the most poisonous of all rattlesnakes. Thankfully, only about 4% of bites result in fatalities with prompt treatment, but untreated, any rattlesnake bite has the potential to kill.

The venom can also cause permanent damage to organs and may even lead to the loss of a limb. 3. Death Adder Death Adder (Loza Tarantula Tamer/Flickr) You know that famous legend about Cleopatra using a snake to kill herself? The type of snake she supposedly used was a death adder. You can find these snakes throughout Australia, New Guinea, and other regions. A bite can result in paralysis, respiratory arrest, and death inside of only six hours. With fast treatment, a patient is unlikely to die, but without treatment, about 50% of bites are lethal. Death adders also prey on other snakes. 4. Inland Taipan Inland Taipan (Matthew Klein/Flickr) While it’s difficult to be as impressed by the Inland Taipan after learning about the concentration of venom in a Belcher’s Sea Snake bite, it’d be foolish to discount the Taipan just because its bite can only kill as many as 100 people! Taipans usually avoid human contact, however, and you are unlikely to ever encounter one. 5.

Eastern Brown Snake Eastern Brown Snake (Matt Summerville/Flickr This type of snake is among the few which are actually aggressive. It is commonly found in Australia, and may be found in populated areas like cities, not just remote locations. If it perceives someone as a threat, it will actually chase that person out of its territory. If the snake is not confident of its safety, it may decide to bite. If it does so, it may bite many times during a single attack. Less than half contain venom, but those that do can cause paralysis or death. Because of its proximity to population centers and its aggression, you could argue the Eastern Brown Snake is the most dangerous snake in the world. 6. Blue Krait Blue Krait (Markus Oulehla/Flickr) This snake is not as well known as some, but its venom is 16 times more potent than that of the cobra! There also is no really good antivenin to use, which makes it quite deadly. The Blue Krait tends to keep to itself and usually only comes out at night, though, so it is generally easy to avoid. 7.

Black Mamba Black Mamba (Victor Fernando Ocampo/Flickr) This snake is usually found in Africa. A single bite contains enough venom to kill ten people (Just ten? You’re still thinking about that sea snake, aren’t you). It can travel as fast as 20 km/h, which makes it the fastest snake on the planet. The Black Mamba will bite a number of times when it attacks, and if the bite is not treated, it is almost always going to result in death. 8. Tiger Snake Tiger Snake (Barry Kiepe/Flickr) This snake is native to Australia and is recognizable because of it width and yellow bands. The bites are very accurate, and without treatment, will result in death nearly three quarters of the time. 9. Philippine Cobra Philippine Cobra (Dangerous Snakes 2012/Flickr) This snake is easily spotted because of its wide neck collar. While cobras inspire fear, most types of cobras don’t even make this list. The Philippine Cobra, however, does. It doesn’t even have to bite you to poison you. All it has to do is spit, and it can do that from 3 meters away and still hit you.

Paralysis from the venom can cause death within thirty minutes. 10. Saw Scaled Viper Saw Scaled Viper (Bhavya Joshi/Flickr) This viper is usually found in the Far East and Middle East, and generally comes out after dark. The main danger with this creature is that the venom is so slow-acting that a victim may make the mistake of waiting too long to seek treatment. Treatment can prevent death in the majority of cases, but without it, death will result slowly and painfully over the course of two to four weeks. Now you know the most dangerous snakes in the world. Some are easy to avoid, like the Blue Krait, while others, like the Eastern Brown Snake, may sneak up on you even in the middle of a busy city. Some snakes are dangerous because of the speed or ferocity of their attacks, others because of how common and widespread they are, and still others because their toxins are so deadly. As you can see, though, the majority are not aggressive, and will steer clear of you if you steer clear of them. And even if you do get bit, with prompt treatment, in most cases you will live.

Question: What is the name given to snake poison
Answer: Venom